Spacing tool for use with bottle conveyor

ABSTRACT

A spacing tool is adapted for use with a conveyor that conveys plastic bottle containers of the type having a neck ring, a neck below the neck ring, and a body below the neck. The conveyor has a pair of support flanges that are spaced laterally from one another by a distance smaller than an outer diameter dimension of each container neck ring, but larger than an outer diameter dimension of each container neck. Thus, each container can be supported between the flanges with its neck ring in engagement with upper surfaces of the flanges. The conveyor has a pair of container guide rails that are spaced from one another by a distance larger than an outer diameter dimension of each container body so that each container can move along the conveyor between the guide rails. The spacing tool comprises a spacing member having a head portion, a neck portion below the head portion, and a spacing block below the neck portion. The head portion has a first outer diameter dimension larger than the spacing between the flanges. The neck portion has a second outer diameter dimension smaller than the spacing between the flanges. Thus, the spacing member can be supported with the head portion in engagement with the upper surfaces of the flanges, with the neck portion between the flanges, and with the spacing block suspended below the flanges adjacent the guide rails. The spacing block has a third outer diameter dimension substantially equal to the outer diameter dimension of each container body (i.e., slightly larger than the third outer diameter dimension to allow for clearance of the containers between the guide rails) so that the spacing member can be used to calibrate the lateral spacing between the guide rails.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] (1) Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention pertains to a spacing tool for use with airconveyors. In particular, the present invention relates to a spacingtool that can be used for calibrating the spacing between the guiderails of an air conveyor that transports plastic bottle containers alonga conveying path defined by a pair of flanges and the guide rails.

[0003] (2) Description of the Related Art

[0004] Air conveyors are typically employed in the rapid transport ofempty plastic bottle containers. FIG. 1 is an end elevational view of atypical prior art air conveyor apparatus. In FIG. 1, the air conveyorapparatus is indicated generally by the reference character C. The airconveyor apparatus C is shown with a plastic bottle container, indicatedgenerally by the reference character B. The bottle container B is of thetype having a narrow neck portion N, an annular rim or neck ring Raround the neck portion N, and a body J below the neck portion N.

[0005] The air conveyor C includes a pair of flanges F that are spacedlaterally from one another defining an elongate slot between theflanges. The spacing between the flanges F is sufficiently large toenable the neck portion N of the bottle container B just below the neckring R to pass through the spacing with the bottle container suspendedfrom upper surfaces U of the flanges F by the neck ring R engaging onthe upper surfaces U. A series of air ducts D are positioned along thelength of the conveyor C adjacent the flanges F. An air plenum of theair conveyor (not shown) supplies a flow of air to the air ducts D. Theair ducts D are oriented so that air ejected from the ducts will contactthe plastic bottle containers B, thereby pushing the bottle containers Balong the pathway defined by the flanges F with the neck rings R of thebottle containers B sliding along the upper surfaces U of the spacedflanges F.

[0006] Preferably, such air conveyors transport a plurality of bottlecontainers in closely spaced succession and at a substantial speed. Atypical air conveyor is constructed with both straight sections andcurved sections in order to transport the succession of bottlecontainers from one area to another. Air conveyors often have guiderails for limiting the side-to-side movement of the bottle containersbeing conveyed. The air conveyor C shown in FIG. 1 includes guide railsG positioned below the flanges F on opposite sides of the conveying pathdefined by the flanges F. The guide rails G are spaced further apartfrom each other than are the flanges F to allow the width of a bottlecontainer body J suspended from the flanges F to pass easily between theguide rails G. The guide rails G limit the side-to-side movement of thebottle containers B conveyed by the air conveyor C and thereby limit theextent to which the bodies J of the bottle containers can swingoutwardly or transversely from the conveying path, e.g., when the airconveyor rounds a curve. Such guide rails help to avoid a bottlecontainer neck or neck ring becoming jammed in the slot between thesupport flanges.

[0007] With a typical air conveyor being capable of transporting a largesuccession of plastic bottle containers at a considerable rate of speed,spacings between the support flanges and guide rails must be precise inorder to ensure efficient operation. Thus, the spacings between thesupport flanges and guide rails must be calibrated precisely duringinitial assembly of the air conveyor apparatus, and must also bere-calibrated periodically in order to maintain the proper spacing. Inaddition, the spacings of the support flanges and guide rails must becalibrated each time the conveyor is to be used to transport bottlecontainers of different dimensions.

[0008] Thus, a calibration tool is needed for setting and maintainingthe proper spacing between the support flanges and guide rails of an airconveyor apparatus. It is desirable that the tool have a simpleconstruction that allows it to be moved into position between thesupport flanges and/or guide rails at virtually any point along thelength of the conveyor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The spacing tool of the present invention can be employed withvirtually any type of air conveyor system that conveys articles along aconveying path. In the operative environment of the invention to bedescribed, the tool is used with an air conveyor that transports plasticbottle containers. The bottle containers are of a conventional type witheach bottle having a narrow neck portion at its upper end, an annularrim or neck ring around the neck portion, and a body below the neckportion.

[0010] The air conveyor with which the spacing tool of the invention isdescribed employs a pair of spaced flanges through which the neck andneck ring of the bottle container project. The neck ring rests on uppersurfaces of the spaced flanges, thereby suspending the body of thebottle container below the flanges. The air conveyor includes a seriesof air ducts that direct a supply of air against the bottle containerscausing the bottle containers to move along the length of the airconveyor with the neck ring of each bottle container sliding along theupper surfaces of the flanges. Air conveyors of this type are describedin the U.S. Patents of Ouellette, U.S. Pat. No. 5,437,521, issued Aug.1, 1995, U.S. Pat. No. 5,611,647 issued Mar. 18, 1997, and U.S. Pat. No.5,628,588, issued May 13, 1997, each of which is assigned to theassignee of the present invention and incorporated herein by reference.

[0011] Air conveyors typically include a framework that supports theconveyor. They also often include guide rails that are supported fromthe framework or suspended from the air conveyor in positions just belowthe conveying slot that is defined by the flanges. The guide railstypically extend along the length of the conveyor with a spacing betweenthe guide rails that is centered below the spacing between the flanges.The spacing between the guide rails is slightly larger than the body ofthe bottle containers to be conveyed by the air conveyor. The guiderails limit the extent to which bottle containers conveyed by the airconveyor can rock side-to-side or transversely to their direction orpath of conveyance.

[0012] In general, a spacing tool of the present invention is adaptedfor use with a conveyor of the type described above. The spacing toolcomprises a spacing member having a head portion, a neck portion belowthe head portion, and a spacing block below the neck portion. The headportion has a first outer diameter dimension larger than the spacingbetween the flanges. The neck portion has a second outer diameterdimension smaller than the spacing between the flanges. Thus, thespacing member can be supported with the head portion in engagement withthe upper surfaces of the flanges, with the neck portion between theflanges, and with the spacing block suspended below the flanges adjacentthe guide rails. The spacing block has a third outer diameter dimensionsubstantially equal to the outer diameter dimension of each containerbody (i.e., slightly larger than the container outer diameter dimensionto allow for clearance of the containers between the guide rails) sothat the spacing block can be used to calibrate the lateral spacingbetween the guide rails.

[0013] In another aspect of the invention, a spacing tool comprises aspacing member having a head portion and a neck portion below the headportion. The head portion has a cross-sectional configuration with amajor lateral dimension and a minor lateral dimension. The minor lateraldimension of the head portion is smaller than the spacing between theflanges. Thus, the head portion is allowed to pass between the flangeswhen the spacing member is oriented so that the major lateral dimensionis aligned with the pair of flanges and the minor lateral dimension ofthe head portion is transverse to or generally perpendicular to theflanges. The major lateral dimension of the head portion is larger thanthe spacing between the flanges. Thus, the spacing member can besupported with the neck portion between the flanges and with the headportion in engagement with the upper surfaces of the flanges when thespacing member is oriented so that the major lateral dimension ispositioned transverse to or generally perpendicular to the pair offlanges and the minor lateral dimension of the head portion is alignedwith the pair of flanges. The neck portion of the spacing member has anouter diameter dimension substantially equal to the outer diameterdimension of each container neck (i.e., slightly larger than the outerdiameter dimension of each container neck to allow for clearance of thecontainer necks between the flanges) so that the spacing member can beused to calibrate the lateral spacing between the flanges.

[0014] While the principal advantages and features of the presentinvention have been described above, a more complete and thoroughunderstanding and appreciation for the invention may be attained byreferring to the drawings and detailed description of the preferredembodiments, which follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015]FIG. 1 is an elevational view of an air conveyor apparatus with aplastic bottle container;

[0016]FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the air conveyor apparatus shownin FIG. 1, with a spacing tool of the present invention shown in useinstalled between the pair of conveyor flanges and with its head portionretracted into the spacing block;

[0017]FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the spacing tool shown inFIG. 2 shown removed from the air conveyor with its head portionextended from the spacing block;

[0018]FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the spacing tool of FIG. 2;

[0019]FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the spacing tool of FIG. 2;

[0020]FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the spacing tool of FIG. 2; and

[0021]FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the spacing tool taken alongthe plane of line 7-7 in FIG. 5.

[0022] Reference characters in the written specification indicatecorresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] A spacing tool of the present invention is indicated generally bythe reference numeral 20 in FIGS. 2-7. In general, the spacing tool 20comprises a head portion 22, a neck portion 24 below the head portion22, and a spacing block 26 below the neck portion 24. The spacing blockis an assembly of three parts including a cylindrical upper portion, ahorizontally enlarged middle portion and a guide rail spacing lowerportion.

[0024]FIG. 2 shows an air conveyor apparatus, indicated generally by thereference numeral 30, which serves as the operative environment of thespacing tool 20 of the present invention. The air conveyor apparatus 30is similar to the air conveyor apparatus C shown in FIG. 1, and isadapted for transporting plastic bottle containers similar to theplastic bottle container B shown in FIG. 1.

[0025] The air conveyor 30 includes a conveyor channel 32 having agenerally inverted U-shaped configuration with a top wall 34 andlaterally spaced side walls 36. Together, the channel top wall 34 andthe side walls 36 give the channel 32 its generally inverted U-shapedconfiguration surrounding an interior volume of the conveyor channel 32.The side walls 36 of the conveyor channel 32 have lower sections 38connected to the upper side walls 36 by threaded fasteners 40. The lowersections 38 of the side walls 36 have pluralities of air duct outlets42. The configurations of the air duct outlets 42 direct jets of airejected from the outlets to strike the shoulder and body portions(indicated by the reference character J in FIG. 1) of the bottlecontainers conveyed by the air conveyor 30, thereby forcing the bottlecontainers to travel in a downstream direction (forward into the pagewhen viewing FIGS. 1 and 2) along the length of the air conveyor 30.Each of the air duct outlets 42 in the side wall lower sections 38 isfed with pressurized air directed through ducts 44 that pass through theupper side walls 36 of the conveyor channel 32. These ducts 44 extendfrom the top surface of the conveyor channel top wall 34 completelythrough the side walls 36 to the air duct outlets 42 of the side walllower sections 38. This construction of the air ducts and air conduitsis employed in air conveyors of the type disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No.5,628,588, referenced above. An air plenum 48 extends longitudinallyalong the top wall 34 of the channel 32. The plenum 48, which is onlypartially represented in FIGS. 1 and 2, is an elongated hollow box thatsurrounds an interior volume of the plenum. The plenum 48 supplies aflow of pressurized air to the air ducts 44 and air duct outlets 42.

[0026] With continued reference to FIG. 2, it can be seen that theinterior volume of the channel 32 is comprised of an upper portion and alower portion separated by a pair of laterally spaced, longitudinallyextending flanges 50. The flanges 50 extend from the opposed side walls36 of the channel 32 into the interior volume of the channel and definea slot between the pair of flanges. The flanges 50 are held between theupper portions of the channel side walls 36 and the lower sections 38 ofthe channel side walls. Set screws 52 are employed to secure the flanges50 in their positions between the upper portions of the channel sidewalls 36 and the lower sections 38. By loosening the set screws 52, theopposed flanges 50 can be adjustably positioned laterally toward or awayfrom each other to adjust the lateral spacing between the flanges 50. Ina bottle conveyor of the type shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lateralspacing between the flanges 50 is adjusted to be sufficiently large toreceive the neck of a bottle container (indicated by the referencecharacter N in FIG. 1) therein with the neck ring (indicated by thereference character R in FIG. 1) of the bottle container supported onupper surfaces 54 of the flanges 50 and with the body of the bottle(indicated by the reference character J in FIG. 1) suspended below theflanges 50.

[0027] Suspended below the air conveyor 30 is a plurality of brackets60. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a top end of each bracket 60 is connectedto the underside of the lower section 38 of one of the channel sidewalls 36 by the threaded fasteners 40. The brackets 60 are spatiallyarranged along the length of the air conveyor apparatus 30. Pairs ofsupports 62 are attached to a lower portion of each bracket 60 withmechanical fasteners 64. Each pair of supports 62 projects upwardly andis centered below the flanges 50. The spacing between each pair ofsupports 62 is sufficiently large to provide ample clearance for abottle container to pass therethrough, as is shown in FIG. 1. Byloosening the mechanical fasteners 64, the supports 62 can be adjustablypositioned laterally along the lower portion of the bracket 60 toaccommodate containers of different sizes.

[0028] Guide rails 66 are mounted to the supports 62 with mechanicalfasteners 65. The guide rails 66 extend along the length of the airconveyor 30 and can be provided in sections that are positioned end toend along the length of the air conveyor 30 in the same manner thatsections of the air conveyor are positioned end to end. The guide rails66 limit the extent of side-to-side movement of bottles containersconveyed by the air conveyor 30 and prevent the bottle containers frombecoming jammed in the slot between the flanges 50 of the air conveyor30 by excessive side to side movement. By loosening the mechanicalfasteners 65, the guide rails 66 can be adjustably positioned verticallyalong the supports 62 to accommodate containers of different sizes.

[0029] The air conveyor 30, the series of brackets 60, the supports 62,and the guide rails 66 are all suspended from a framework (not shown).The framework extends along and supports the entire length of the airconveyor apparatus 30. Although only a portion of the air conveyorapparatus 30 is represented in FIGS. 1 and 2, air conveyors areconstructed with substantial lengths that can curve from side to sideand incline upwardly and downwardly along their lengths.

[0030] The air conveyor apparatus described to this point is of the typedisclosed in the earlier referenced patents and many of the componentparts of the air conveyor apparatus described are found in variousdifferent types of air conveyors. It should be understood that the airconveyor described is only one operative environment of the spacing tool20 of the present invention and that the spacing tool 20 may be employedin different types of air conveyors having constructions that aredifferent from the construction of the air conveyor described herein.The air conveyor apparatus 30 is only one operative environment of thespacing tool 20 and the spacing tool 20 is not limited to use with airconveyors of the type described.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 3, the head portion 22 of the spacing tool 20has an outer diameter dimension N₁ and the neck portion 24 has an outerdiameter dimension N₂. Preferably, the head portion 22 and neck portion24 are fixedly connected to one another so that the head portion 22 andneck portion 24 are generally not movable relative to one another. Morepreferably, the head portion 22 and neck portion 24 are of a monolithic(i.e., one-piece) construction. The dimension N₁ is larger than thespacing between the flanges 50 and the dimension N₂ is smaller than thespacing between the flanges 50. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, thespacing tool 20 can be supported with the head portion 22 in engagementwith the upper surfaces 54 of the flanges 50, with the neck portion 24between the flanges 50. As shown in FIG. 2, when the spacing tool 20 issupported with the head portion 22 in engagement with the upper surfaces54 of the flanges 50, the spacing block 26 is suspended below theflanges 50 adjacent the guide rails 66.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 5, the head portion 22 of the spacing member hasa cross-sectional configuration with a major lateral dimension D₁ (equalto the outer diameter dimension N₁) and a minor lateral dimension D₂.The minor lateral dimension D₂ is smaller than the spacing between theflanges 50 to allow the head portion 22 to pass between the flanges 50when the spacing tool 20 is oriented so that the major lateral dimensionD₁ is aligned with the pair of flanges and the minor lateral dimensionD₂ of the head portion 22 is generally perpendicular to the flanges 50.The major lateral dimension D₁ of the head portion 22 is larger than thespacing between the flanges 50 so that the spacing tool 20 can besupported (as shown in FIG. 2) with the neck portion 24 between theflanges 50 and with the head portion 22 in engagement with the uppersurfaces 54 of the flanges 50 when the spacing tool 20 is oriented sothat the major lateral dimension D₁ is transverse to or generallyperpendicular to the pair of flanges 50 and the minor lateral dimensionD₂ of the head portion 22 is aligned with the pair of flanges 50. Asshown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the head portion 22 preferably includes abeveled upper perimeter 68 that facilitates movement of the head portion22 upwardly through the spacing between the flanges 50 to move thespacing tool 20 into position between the flanges 50.

[0033] The outer diameter dimension N₂ of the neck portion 24 can bemade substantially equal to the outer diameter dimension of the neckportions of the bottle containers to be conveyed by the air conveyor 30(i.e., slightly larger than the outer diameter dimension of the neckportions of the bottle containers to allow for clearance of the neckportions of the containers between the flanges) so that the spacing tool20 can be used to calibrate the spacing between the flanges 50.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 3-7 the spacing block 26 has a generallycylindrical upper portion 70, a generally flat middle portion 72, and alower portion 74. Preferably, the middle portion 72 and the lowerportion 74 are of a monolithic (i.e., one-piece) construction, which isconnected to the cylindrical upper portion 70 with mechanical fasteners76.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 6, lower portion 74 of the spacing block 26preferably has a cross-sectional configuration with a major lateraldimension D₃ and a minor lateral dimension D₄. The minor lateraldimension D₄ is smaller than the spacing between the guide rails 66 toallow the spacing block middle 72 and lower 74 portions to be freelymoved into and out of position between the guide rails 66 when thespacing block 26 is oriented so that the lower portion major lateraldimension D₃ is aligned with the guide rails 66 and the minor lateraldimension D₄ of the lower portion is transverse to or generallyperpendicular to the guide rails 66. The major lateral dimension D₃ ofthe spacing block lower portion 74 is substantially equal to an outerdiameter dimension of the body portion of the bottle containers to beconveyed by the air conveyor 30 (i.e., slightly larger than the outerdiameter dimension of the body portion of the bottle containers to allowfor clearance of the bottle containers between the guide rails 66).Thus, the spacing tool 20 can be used to calibrate the lateral spacingbetween the guide rails 66 when the spacing block lower portion 74 isoriented so that the major lateral dimension D₃ of the lower portion istransverse to or generally perpendicular to the guide rails 66.

[0036] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the spacing block26 and head portion 22 are vertically adjustable relative to each other.As shown in FIG. 7, the spacing block 26 further comprises an externallythreaded member 80 that extends through axial bores in the upper portion70, middle portion 72, and lower portion 74 of the spacing block 26.Preferably, the externally threaded member 80 is journalled for rotationin the spacing block 26 by an upper collar 82 positioned above themiddle portion 72 of the spacing block 26 and a lower collar 84positioned below the lower portion 74 of the spacing block 26. Thecollars 82 and 84 are mounted to the externally threaded member 80 byset screws 86 (see FIG. 3). The lower collar 84 is adapted forengagement with the lower portion 74 of the spacing block 26 to limitupward movement of the externally threaded member 80 relative to thespacing block 26, and the upper collar 82 is adapted for engagement withthe middle portion 72 of the spacing block 26 to limit downward movementof the externally threaded member 80 relative to the spacing block 26.Preferably, the externally threaded member 80 includes a hand-engageableactuator member 88 operatively connected to a lower end of theexternally threaded member 80 for manual engagement by a user forrotating the externally threaded member 80 relative to the spacing block26.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 7, the neck portion 24 includes an internallythreaded portion 90 extending from a lower side of the neck portiontoward the head portion 22. The internally threaded portion 90 is sizedto receive an externally threaded upper end 92 of the externallythreaded member 80 so that the spacing block 26 and head portion 22 areconnected to one another in a threaded engagement. Preferably, theexternally threaded member 80 and internally threaded portion 90 areadapted for movement relative to one another in a manner so thatrotation of the externally threaded member 80 relative to the internallythreaded portion 90 effectuates vertical movement of the head portion 22relative to the spacing block 26. Because the externally threaded member80 is journalled for rotation in the spacing block 26 by the upper andlower collars 82 and 84, rotational movement of the externally threadedmember 80 relative to the internally threaded portion 90 does notrequire rotational movement of the remainder of the spacing block 26.Therefore, the externally threaded member 80 can be rotated relative tothe internally threaded portion 90 to effectuate vertical movement ofthe head portion 22 relative to the spacing block 26 without requiringrotational movement of the remainder of the spacing block 26 relative tothe head portion 22.

[0038] Thus, the head portion 22 is vertically adjustable relative tothe spacing block 26 between a generally retracted condition (shown inFIG. 2) and a generally extended condition (shown in FIG. 3) by rotatingthe externally threaded member 80 relative to the internally threadedportion 90.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 2, when the head portion 22 is in a fullyretracted position relative to the spacing block 26, the flanges 50 areclamped between the head portion 22 and the upper portion 70 of thespacing block 26. Once the spacing tool 20 is moved to a desiredlocation along the pair of conveyor flanges 50 with the head portion 22resting on the flanges, the externally threaded member 80 is rotated viathe hand-engageable actuator member 88 to move the head portion 22 toits retracted condition. In this way, the spacing tool 20 can be lockedto the pair of flanges at a desired location along the conveyor 30 whilethe positions of the guide rails 66 are adjusted. To unlock the spacingtool 20, the head portion 22 can be moved back toward its extendedcondition by rotating the hand-engageable actuator member 88 in theopposite direction.

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the neck portion 24 preferablyincludes at least one projection in the form of a pin 94 extendinggenerally horizontally therefrom. As best shown in FIG. 3, the generallycylindrical upper portion 70 of the spacing block 26 includes a recessin the form of a vertically disposed groove 96 that extends from a topend of the upper portion 70 of the spacing block 26 toward the middleportion 72. The vertical groove 96 is adapted to receive the pin 94 in amanner for permitting vertical movement of the head portion 22 betweenits extended and retracted conditions relative to the spacing blockupper portion 70, but for preventing rotational movement of the headportion 22 relative to the spacing block upper portion 70.

[0041] As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, enlarged middle portion 72 of thespacing block 26 includes shoulders 98 that extend laterally beyond thelower portion 74 of the spacing block 26. Preferably, the shoulders 98have an outer diameter dimension N₃ that is larger that the spacingbetween the guide rails 66. The shoulders 98 each have a generallyhorizontal lower surface 100 adapted for engagement of each shoulder onone of the guide rails 66 in a manner that positions the spacing blocklower portion 74 between the guide rails 66 for calibrating the verticalposition of the guide rails 66 relative to the flanges 50 and thehorizontal spacing between the guide rails 66 as well as centering theguide rails relative to the flanges when the spacing tool 20 issupported between the flanges (as shown in FIG. 2). With the spacingtool 20 positioned as shown in FIG. 2 with the spacing block lowerportion 74 positioned with its major lateral dimension D₃ extendingbetween the guide rails 66, the guide rails 66 can be moved inwardlytoward each other until they engage opposite sides of the lower portion74, thereby horizontally adjusting the spacing between the guide rails66 for the particular bottle body diameter corresponding to the spacingblock lower portion 74.

[0042] Furthermore, the head portion 22 and neck portion 24 areseparable from the spacing block 26 by rotating the externally threadedmember 80 relative to the internally threaded portion 90 of the neckportion 24 until the external threads of the externally threaded member80 disengage the internal threads of the internally threaded portion 90.Thus, the head portion 22 and spacing block 26 can be selectivelyinterchanged with like components (not shown) having different lengthsand outer diameter dimensions. To adjust for bottle bodies havingdifferent diameter dimensions, the shoulder 98 which comprises middle 72and lower 74 portions of the spacing block can be removed and replacedwith others having dimensions that correspond to the body diameterdimension of the bottle.

[0043] In view of the above, it will be seen that improvements over theprior art have been achieved and other advantageous results attained. Asvarious changes could be made without departing from the scope of theinvention, it is intended that all matter contained in the abovedescription or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpretedas illustrative and not in a limiting sense. It should be understoodthat other configurations of the present invention could be constructed,and different uses could be made, without departing from the scope ofthe invention as set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A spacing tool for use with a conveyor thatconveys containers, each container having a neck ring, a neck below theneck ring, and a body below the neck, the conveyor having a pair ofspaced flanges extending generally parallel to one another in adownstream direction of the conveyor, the flanges being spaced laterallyfrom one another by a distance smaller than an outer diameter dimensionof each container neck ring but larger than an outer diameter dimensionof each container neck so that each container can be supported betweenthe flanges with its neck ring in engagement with upper surfaces of theflanges, the conveyor having a pair of container guide rails below theflanges and extending generally parallel to one another in thedownstream direction, the guide rails being spaced from one another by adistance larger than an outer diameter dimension of each container bodyso that each container can move in the downstream direction along theconveyor between the a spacing member having a head portion, a neckportion below the head portion, and a spacing block below the neckportion, the head portion having a first outer diameter dimension largerthan the spacing between the flanges and the neck portion having asecond outer diameter dimension smaller than the spacing between theflanges so that the spacing member can be supported with the headportion in engagement with the upper surfaces of the flanges, with theneck portion between the flanges, and with the spacing block suspendedbelow the flanges adjacent the guide rails, the spacing block having athird outer diameter dimension substantially equal to the outer diameterdimension of each container body so that the spacing member can be usedto calibrate the lateral spacing between the guide rails.
 2. The spacingtool of claim 1 wherein the spacing block has a cross-sectionalconfiguration with a major lateral dimension that constitutes the thirdouter diameter dimension and a minor lateral dimension that is smallerthan the major lateral dimension, the minor lateral dimension of thespacing block being smaller than the spacing between the guide rails toallow the spacing block to be freely moved into and out of positionbetween the guide rails when the spacing block is oriented so that theminor lateral dimension of the spacing block is generally perpendicularto the guide rails, the major lateral dimension of the spacing blockbeing substantially equal to the outer diameter dimension of eachcontainer body so that the spacing member can be used to calibrate thespacing between the guide rails when the spacing block is oriented sothat the major lateral dimension of the spacing block is generallyperpendicular to the guide rails.
 3. The spacing tool of claim 1 whereinthe head portion of the spacing member has a cross-sectionalconfiguration with a major lateral dimension and a minor lateraldimension, the minor lateral dimension of the head portion being smallerthan the spacing between the flanges to allow the head portion to passvertically between the flanges when the spacing member is oriented sothat the minor lateral dimension of the head portion is generallyperpendicular to the flanges, the major lateral dimension of the headportion being larger than the spacing between the flanges so that thespacing member can be supported by the flanges with the head portion inengagement with the upper surfaces of the flanges when the spacingmember is oriented so that the minor lateral dimension of the headportion is not generally perpendicular to the flanges, the second outerdiameter dimension being substantially equal to the outer diameterdimension of each container neck so that the spacing member can be usedto calibrate the lateral spacing between the flanges.
 4. The spacingtool of claim 1 wherein the spacing block and head portion arevertically adjustable relative to each other.
 5. The spacing tool ofclaim 4 wherein one of the spacing block and head portion includes anexternally threaded member and the other of the spacing block and headportion includes an internally threaded member, and wherein the spacingblock and head portion are connected to one another in a threadedengagement in a manner so that rotation of the externally threaded andinternally threaded members relative to one another effectuates verticalmovement of the spacing block relative to the head portion.
 6. Thespacing tool of claim 5 wherein the externally threaded member isoperatively connected to one of the spacing block and head portion in amanner so that rotational movement of the externally threaded memberrelative to the internally threaded member does not require rotationalmovement of an outer portion of the spacing block relative to an outerportion of the head portion.
 7. The spacing tool of claim 6 wherein theexternally threaded member is journalled for rotation in the spacingblock in a manner so that the externally threaded and internallythreaded members can be rotated relative to one another to effectuatevertical movement of the spacing block relative to the head portionwithout requiring rotational movement of the outer portion of thespacing block relative to the outer portion of the head portion.
 8. Thespacing tool of claim 7 further comprising an actuator memberoperatively connected to the externally threaded member, the actuatormember being adapted for manual engagement by a user for moving theexternally threaded member relative to the internally threaded membersto effectuate vertical movement of the spacing block relative to thehead portion.
 9. The spacing tool of claim 6 wherein the head portionand neck portion of the spacing member are fixedly connected to oneanother and wherein one of the spacing block and neck portion includes aprojection and the other of the spacing block and neck portion includesa recess adapted to receive the projection in a manner for preventingrotational movement of the outer portion of the spacing block relativeto the outer portion of the head portion.
 10. The spacing tool of claim9 wherein the recess is an elongate groove that is sized to allowvertical movement of the projection therethrough as the spacing blockand head portion move vertically relative to one another.
 11. Thespacing tool of claim 1 wherein the head portion and neck portion of thespacing member are of a monolithic construction.
 12. The spacing tool ofclaim 1 wherein the spacing member includes at least one shoulderextending laterally therefrom, the shoulder having a generallyhorizontal surface adapted for engagement with one of the guide rails ina manner for calibrating the vertical position of the one of the guiderails relative to the flanges.
 13. The spacing tool of claim 1 whereinthe neck portion and spacing block are separable from one another toallow them to be selectively interchanged with like components havingdifferent outer diameter dimensions.
 14. A spacing tool for use with aconveyor that conveys containers, each container having a neck ring, aneck below the neck ring, and a body below the neck, the conveyor havinga pair of spaced flanges extending generally parallel to one another ina downstream direction of the conveyor, the flanges being spacedlaterally from one another by a distance smaller than an outer diameterdimension of each container neck ring but larger than an outer diameterdimension of each container neck so that each container can be supportedbetween the flanges with its neck ring in engagement with upper surfacesof the flanges, the spacing tool comprising: a spacing member having ahead portion and a neck portion below the head portion, the head portionhaving a cross-sectional configuration with a major lateral dimensionand a minor lateral dimension, the minor lateral dimension of the headportion being smaller than the spacing between the flanges to allow thehead portion to pass between the flanges when the spacing member isoriented so that the minor lateral dimension of the head portion isgenerally perpendicular to the flanges, the major lateral dimension ofthe head portion being larger than the spacing between the flanges sothat the spacing member can be supported with the neck portion betweenthe flanges and with the head portion in engagement with the uppersurfaces of the flanges when the spacing member is oriented so that theminor lateral dimension of the head portion is not generallyperpendicular to the flanges, the neck portion of the spacing memberhaving an outer diameter dimension substantially equal to the outerdiameter dimension of each container neck so that the spacing member canbe used to calibrate the spacing between the flanges.
 15. The spacingtool of claim 14 wherein the conveyor has a pair of container guiderails below the flanges and extending generally parallel to one anotherin the downstream direction, the guide rails being spaced laterally fromone another by a distance larger than an outer diameter dimension ofeach container body so that each container can move in the downstreamdirection along the conveyor between the guide rails; the spacing toolfurther comprising a spacing block below the neck portion, the spacingblock having an outer diameter dimension substantially equal to an outerdiameter dimension of each container body so that the spacing member canbe used to calibrate the lateral spacing between the guide rails. 16.The spacing tool of claim 15 wherein the spacing block and head portionare vertically adjustable relative to each other.
 17. The spacing toolof claim 16 wherein one of the spacing block and head portion includesan externally threaded member and the other of the spacing block andhead portion includes an internally threaded member, and wherein thespacing block and head portion are connected to one another in athreaded engagement in a manner so that rotation of the externallythreaded and internally threaded members relative to one anothereffectuates vertical movement of the spacing block relative to the headportion without requiring rotational movement of an outer portion of thespacing block relative to an outer portion of the head portion.
 18. Thespacing tool of claim 17 wherein the head portion and neck portion ofthe spacing member are of a monolithic construction and wherein one ofthe spacing block and neck portion includes a projection and the otherof the spacing block and head portion includes a generally verticalgroove adapted to receive the projection in a manner for permitting thespacing block and head portion to move vertically relative to oneanother and for preventing rotational movement of the outer portion ofthe spacing block relative to the outer portion of the head portion. 19.The spacing tool of claim 15 wherein the spacing member includes atleast one shoulder extending laterally therefrom, the shoulder having agenerally horizontal surface adapted for engagement with one of theguide rails in a manner for calibrating the vertical position of the oneof the guide rails relative to the flanges.
 20. The spacing tool ofclaim 15 wherein the neck portion and spacing block are separable fromone another to allow them to be selectively interchanged with likecomponents having different outer diameter dimensions.